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Hi everyone.
I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping that you can give me some reassurance. I've already read a lot of posts before joining which sound so much like my story ... I guess it's sensible words and advice I'm after really.

At the moment I'm in a downward depression thanks to an ear infection. I'm menacing my doctor regularly to check this. The swelling on the eardrum has gone down but it's still red and angry. I was deaf for a week and now I can hear again, but I have an awful distorted booming vibration which comes on for about 12 hours, then it goes, then it comes back ... It kind of goes whir, whir, whir and feels like it's moving about if I nod my head.
Is this fluid pressing against my eardrum? Is this causing the distortion? It's so loud, I don't think any amount of CBT or counselling will help me deal with it. It's not a whistling or whooshing sound, its more like an electricity sub-station humming/buzzing, or a plane flying overhead, and is louder than normal every day sounds.

The one shred of hope I'm clinging on to is that it's the infection that's caused this (through me being stupid and over-doing it with decongestant sprays) and that it will go in time. I had this 7 years ago and it lasted 6 months, I was so unhappy. Ended up on prednisalone and the buzzing gradually went away after 2 lots.
I live in fear of my ears going wrong. I know it's not life threatening but I lose my sanity, I'm frightened, I'm depressed, and an irrational fear takes over. I'm 43 and have suffered from ear infections my whole life. I really hope there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Trying to be positive but very hard as everything is clouded and dark
Has anyone else experienced this? How did you deal with it?

Welcome Moo Cow to TT. Don't panic. Since you had this 7 years ago and had been helped by prednisone. Have you gotten the same treatment again this time? Members here often recommend this for new T sufferer or when there is infection. As far as the mental suffering, the fear, the depression, sleeplessness etc., they are all very normal when T is new or when it kicks into another level. We all had experienced the T trauma to varying degree. I went through hell with my ultra high pitch dog whistle T and severe hyperacusis a few years back. I was in a mess for a year or two but now I am living a normal life, enjoying it and living it abundantly despite the T still being there. Time will heal and your perception of T can change. Trying to be positive can definitely help. The first step towards positivity is to read up on the success stories and the Positivity Thread. They give you hope and you can learn some insights how to get better. Being positive will help reduce stress which is bad for T. So keep being positive, seek some helpful strategies such as CBT, TRT, mindfulness meditation, exercise, hobby, etc. etc. Try take supplements such as NAC, Magnesium, B12, D3 etc. and see if you need some diet change to cut down on intake of salt, sugar, MSG, caffeine, alcohol etc. Use wisdom there as you still need to enjoy your life. You may want to consider masking if T bothers you. Here is a TT thread with some nice tips and some masking sounds. Take good care and God bless.

Thanks so much for the reassuring words, it's conforting to hear how you and others deal with this.
I haven't been prescribed any prednisalone yet I have an appointment to see the ENT specialist in 2 weeks and I'm hoping they'll help me. Went to see my GP and she was less than helpful, wouldn't give me anything, said it was basically "glue ear" and it'll resolve itself "in time". I think she thought I was fussing about nothing. I'm also going to see a counsellor in a couple of weeks who has been recommended to me, to help me with coping mechanisms.

I'm cutting out dairy and eating more fruit and veg...trying to be more healthy.

I was training for a half-marathon until this kicked in. Now I darent move my head quickly let alone run, because of the whir-whir-whir I get when the booming vibration moves around in my ear. Scared it'll shift around and get worse.

Thanks for the link to the tips and masking sounds. Really going to try and be positive as I know I've got to accept that I might be stuck with this forever.

It's so reassuring that you're now getting on with life as normal - I so want to do this too, I want my life back. Thanks billie48 for your wise words.